Locking hook for apertured panel



July 6, 1965 E. H. TERLINDE 3,193,225

LOCKING HOOK FOR APERTURED PANEL Filed June 3, 1965 INVENTOR [OW/4RD H. Flu/N0:

BY flwmam ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,193,225 Patented July 6, 19%.;

$93,225 LOCKING HOOK FOR APERTURED PANEL Edward H. Terlinde, 222 W. 7th St., St. Paul 2, Minn. Filed June 3, 1963, Ser. No. 285,056 10 Claims. (Cl. 248-223) This application relates to perforated panel hooks designed to be secured to a perforated panel in overlying relationship thereto having locking means to hold the hooks in releasably fixed relation to the perforated panel.

A will be generally understood, perforated panels are normally constructed with spaced aligned apertures extending through the panel from one spaced surface of the panel to the other. On the surface of the panel are secured by attachment of the hook by means of an extension which extends through one of the apertures in the panel. It his been fairly common to provide perforated panel hooks having a shank designed to overlie the face of the perforated panel with the shank having an end portion offset from the remainder of the shank and extending axially and designed to be inserted through one of the apertures in the perforated panel so as to overlie the surface of the perforated panel opposed to the surface over which the other portion ofthe shank is placed. As will be further understood, a forwardly projecting support is then provided which extends from the shank to support the items to be displayed. However, considerable diliiculty is often occasioned by the tendency of the hook to pivot because of its single point of fastening. This tendency of the hook to move laterally can of course result in considerable damage and at least inconvenience to the user. While in some instances, attempts have been made to correct this problem, at the present time the attempts have not been altogether successful. Particularly, difliculty has been found in providing a secondary fastening means which would not become dislodged from the aperture in which it was secured. It is an object of the present invention to provide a locking means designed to be inserted in an aperture in a perforated panel to hold the hook in releasably fixed engagement with the panel. I have found that a locked means generally in the form of a pin extending rearwardly from the shank and having a lip end at substantially angular relation to the other portion of the pin in order to provide a recessed portion between the lip end and the shank is effectual. The portion of the perforated panel enclosing the aperture through which the pin extends is designed to be engaged by the recessed portion in the pin. I have found that a relatively inexpensive production can be secured by providing sufiicient spaced pins to support the shank which in turn is supporting the item which is being displayed or held. In general, the hook is designed to be made of metal and in most instances the shank is cylindrical although other shapes would serve equally well. As is apparent, a shank provided with a pair of ends projecting rearwardly and spaced apart from each other when inserted through spaced apertures in the perforated panel and urged into engaging relation with the portions of the perforated panel enclosing the apertures with the recessed portion of the pin would satisfactorily prevent inadvertent dislodgm-ent of the hook and pivotal movement of the hook as well. I have found that various modifications of the hook may be manufactured which will serve the purpose and intention of the invention.

An object of the present invention is to provide a perforated panel hook having locking means extending rearwardly from the shank to releasably hold the shank of the hook in overlying relation to the perforated panel.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a perforated panel hook which may be inexpensively All manufactured, and which will be positive and effective in operation, and which may be readily released from the perforated panel and reused in another position on the perforated panel if desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a locked means in one modification thereof which may be rotated in relationship to the shank to which it is secured so as to be rotated into and out of locked engagement with the peg board.

The locked means are secured to the shank so as to project rearwardly therefrom to secure the shank to the panel, the locked means generally comprising a rotatable pin having an angled end portion. The pin may be rotatably secured within a generally cylindrical sleeve corresponding generally in diameter to the diameter of the aperture in which it is inserted, and with the angled end portion of the pin projecting beyond the end of the sleeve. In preferred construction, the pin is secured off center in the sleeve so as to provide eccentric mounting enabling the angled end to be rotated into and out of aligment with the sleeve. When the angled end of the pin is out of alignment with the sleeve, the perforated panel is retained within the recess between the angled end and the shank.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a perforated panel hook locking means comprising at least a pin projecting rearwardly from the shank of the hook in rotatably secured relation to the shank. The pin adapted to reside within an aperture of the perforated panel and having a rearward end portion extending laterally through the axis of the pin and adapted to engage against at least a portion of the perforated panel enclosing the aperture in which the pin is inserted.

A further object of the present invention is to have the pin of the locking means rotatable so that the laterally extending end portion may be rotated into and out of aligment with the shank and to be engaged and disengaged against the portion of the perforated panel enclosing the aperture and to secure the perforated panel within the recess between the angled end portion and the shank itself.

A further object is to provide means to rotate the pin in the form of lever means which may be rotated into and out of alignment with the shaft so as to be readily grasped for rotative movement when desired while at the same time being adapted to be rotated into a position so as to prevent the lever being inadverttently moved.

It will be understood that oftentimes perforated panel hooks are a source of attraction to small children, and in addition the hooks themselves may be in a position where they may be bumped or jarred by passersby. Obviously, where the hook is secured to a panel by means locking it in engagement such as I have provided, the hooks may not be readily dislodged. However, the inquisitive minds and hands of little children are quite likely to be attracted to the hooks and in order to prevent the hooks from being readily loosened from the panel, I have provided the lever means described as an object of the invention. 1 have found that the lever means maybe in one of the two modifications which are particularly suited for purposes.

In one modification, I provide a lever means in the form of a handle secured to the pin so as to enable the pin to be rotated by movement of the handle. In the other modification, I provide a slot in the end of the pin designed to be engaged by the blade of a screw driver, for example, in order to provide the necessary turning of the pin.

I have further found that a combination of metal and more exotic materials such as plastic and rubber may be combined to provide a particular decorativeness if desired while preserving the utilitarian benefits of my invention. v

These and other objects, particular advantages and details of construction will be more fully described in the following specifications taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

' FIGUREI is a side elevation of one construction of the perforated panel hook having locking means engaged with a perforated panel.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the perforated panel hook taken along the line'22 of FIGURE 1 showing the clip designed to hold the locked members of the hook in engagement with the perforated panel.

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevation of a portion of the hook showing one form of locking means.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the hook illustrating the movement of the locked means in securing or releasing the hook from the perforated panel.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation of a perforated panel hook having a modified locked means.

FIGURE 6 is a view of'the locked means of. FIGURE 5 with one form of lever means to rotate the pin in overlying relation to the shaft.

' FIGURE 7 is a view showing the movement of the handle lever means of FIGURE 6 to rotate the pin.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of a modified hook in partial overlying engagement to the perforated panel.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of thelever slot of the modified hook of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a side elevation of the hook of FIG- URE 8 in locked engagementwith a perforated panel.

As may be seen from the drawings, I have provided a perforated panel hook generally numbered 16 having a shank designed to over-lie one face surface of a perforated panel 14, and to be held in place by locked means which will be more fully described.

In general the hook may be made of metal, plastic, rubber and the like, or combinations thereof. The hook is designed to be engaged to a conventional perforated panel having spaced aligned apertures extending from one face surface to the other of the panel. Further description of the panel is believed to be unnecessary.

The hook itself may be made from cylindrical material or from any other suitable shaped material; however the locking means must, of course, be of a suitable size and shape so as to be capable of being inserted into the cylindrical apertures of the perforated panel.

Referring to the perforated panel hook illustrated in FIGURES 1-4, I have provided a hook 10 having a shank portion 12 and a display support member 16 which is shown at one end of the shank 12 for purposes of clarity, the intention, however, not being to limit location of the support member to the end of the shank alone. The display support member 16 extends forwardly from the shank 12 and may be formed so as to provide a particularly shaped support. The shank 12 is held in overlying engagement to a perforated panel such as 14 by locked means. As may be particularly seen from FIGURE 3, the locked means project rearwardly from the shank 12 and is numbered 18. The locked means 18 is in the form of a projecting member such as a pin and which has its free unsecured pin portion extending angularly from the rearwardly extending portion of the pin. The angularly extending end portion of the pin 18 in preferred construction is an integral part of the pin and in the illustrations has been given the number 2t). As may be seen in FIG- perforated panel;

other portions of the shank from which it is offset. The intermediate portion of the shank between the axially extending offset end24 and themain portion of the shank 12 has been given the number 26. The offsetting connecting portion 26 in preferred construction is of reduced diameter in relationship to the axially extending portion 24 and the overlying'sh'ank portion 12 to accommodate a clip 28 which is generally U-shaped. As may be seen in FIGURE 2, the clip 28 is designed to be loosely engaged around the connecting member 26 and to be movable for a purpose to be described. The clip has arms 30 and 32 which retain the clip in loose engagement with the connecting member'26. A handle 33 is secured to the clip 28 to enable the clip 28 to be more readily inserted and retracted. The handle may be of reduced size to enable the handle to be partially inserted into the perforated panel aperture to provide a wedging action.

As'will be obvious from the'view of FIGURE 4, the perforated panel hook is secured in relation to the perforated panel 14 by first inserting the axial shank end 24 to the aperture 34 of the perforated panel and sliding the axial end 24 rearwardly until it has projected through to the other side of the panel which is numbered 36, whereupon the hook is pivoted downwardly to place the lock member 18 into the perforated panel aperture 38. Further pivoting movement of the hook brings the shank 12 into overlying relation to the face surface 40 of the panel 14. As may be seen in FIGURE 1 when the shank 12 is in overlying relation to the perforated panel 14; the pin extends through the aperture, and as the hook is urged downwardly the perforated panel is secured in the recess between the lip and the shank. As will be apparent, while I have shown in FIGURES 1 and 4 a perforated panel hook having an axial olfset end 24, it would be an obvious modification to use a pair of pins such as 18 and eliminate the axial offset end entirely. In such instance, of course, the hook could' be engaged to the perforated panel merely by' inserting the pins through aligned apertures and urging the shank downwardly so as to cause the perforated panel to be engaged in the recess between the lip ends of the'two pins and the shank.

Referring again to the drawing of FIGURE 1, it will be understood that the clip 28 is retractable from the engaged position shown in the view of FIGURE 1 to permit the hook to be raised away from engagement of the perforated panel in the recess between the pin lip and the shank to enable the hook to be released from the I have found that the feature of having the clip readily movable into and out of a wedging relationship in the aperture through which the offset member extends enables the hook to be readily changed from two different positions and in addition provides a positive lock whereby the hook'may' not be inadvertently disengaged from the perforated panel.

As may be seen in the illustrations of FIGURES 5, 6, and 7 I have found it advantageous to provide a pin 42 pivotally secured to the shank 44 of the hook generally numbered 46. As in the case of the earlier description; the hook .46 may be fitted with an axially extending end portion 48 as shown or may be supplied with a multiplicity of locking members to hold the hook in engagement to the perforated panel 50.

In the construction illustrated, the pin 42 is secured rotatably within an axial aperture of a sleeve 52 which is secured to the shank 44 to extend rearwardly therefrom for insertion into an aperture in a perforated panel such as 50. I have found that it is advantageous to supply the cylindrical sleeve for the pin 42 in order to prevent the pin 42 from being bent or distorted when it is likely to be taken on and off the perforated panel repeatedly. The sleeve 52 is designed to be of a diameter so as to fit snugly within an aperture in the perforated panel so as an angularly ofiset end 54 extending from the axial shaft portion. At the other end of the pin I have provided a lever means such as a handle 56 whereby the pin may be rotated within the sleeve 52. As will be apparent from the view of FIGURE 7 the handle 56 may be rotated pivotally in relation to the shank 44 which will cause a corresponding rotation of the angle end 54 on the pin 42. The handle 56 is designed to lie in parallel side by side relation to the shank 44 in order to be less likely to be turned inadvertently. As may be seen in FIGURE 6 the pin extends through the sleeve 52 and through an aperture 58 in the shank 44 and terminates in the lever handle 56 which is designed to lie in parallel relation to the shank 44.

In preferred construction the axial aperture in the sleeve 52 is oifset to one side in order to provide an eccentric mounting so that rotation of the handle 56 will cause the angled end 54 to rotate into and out of extension laterally beyond the periphery of the sleeve 52. In other words, the pin is set to one side so that the angled end in one position of rotation will extend beyond the edge of the sleeve to one side to overlie the perforated panel and provide a recess between the angled end 54 and the shank 44 to hold the perforated panel in engagement. I have found that it is preferable to have the angled end 54 at a generally obtuse angle to the shaft of the pin whereby the angled end may be urged against the outer edge of the perforated panel enclosing the aperture through which the sleeve extends so as to more tightly clasp the perforated panel in the recess between the pin end 54 and'the shank 44.

As may be seen in the views of FIGURES 8, 9, and 10, the pin 60 may be of increased diameter so as to eliminate the necessity of providing a sleeved enclosure for it. Further, in such instances, the pin 69 being of greater diameter than the pin 42 may be provided with a modified form of lever. As may be seen in FIGURE 8, the pin 60 is secured to the shank 62 of the hook in rotative engagement to an aperture extending transversely through the shank 62. The hook 60 is provided with an angled lip 64 at one end to provide a locking arrangement for the perforated panel which has previously been described. The other end of the pin 60 is enlarged so as to hold the pin in engagement with the shank. As may be seen in FIGURE 9, a slot is provided in the head 66 of the pin 69 which is designed to receive the tool used to rotate the pin. For example, the blade of a screw driver may be inserted in the slot 68 to rotate the pin 60 into and out of engagement with the perforated panel 70.

As will be apparent in the view of FIGURE 8, the forward surface of the shank 62 may be recessed in order to hold the head 66 in flush or slightly depressed relation to the shank 62 in order to prevent the head from snagging objects or preventing their being placed flush against the shank. I have found that this particular means of rotating the pin is particularly advantageous in that it requires a positive intent to rotate the pin. Particularly where children are likely to come into contact with the perforated panels, this construction is particularly advantageous for obvious reasons.

It is readily understood, of course, that the aperture in the shank of the books may be axially olfset to enable the angled lip end of the pins to project a greater distance over the perforated panel surface which they overlie when rotated. Similarly, by oifsetting the aperture in the shank of the hook it becomes easier to enable the angled end to be rotated into a position of alignment with the sleeve where one is used for the pin of lesser diameter or with the aperture itself. Particularly I have found that where the pin is to be rotated it is advantageous to have the lip end of the pin obtusely angled so as to provide the wedging effect by the pin end against the perforated panel to clamp the board more tightly between the pin end and the shank.

It will, of course, be obvious that various combinations of my locking means may be utilized in different situations to greater advantage. While I have shown particular constructions for the purpose of providing a clearer understanding of my invention, the purpose of such illustrations is not provided for the limitation of my device to the construction shown alone.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have set forth the best embodiments of my invention, but I desire to have it understood that obvious changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A perforated panel hook including a shank having an axially extending offset end for insertion through an aperture in a perforated panel and means to hold said shank in releasable overlying engagement to a perforated panel comprising:

(a) lock means spaced from said offset shank end,

(b) said lock means including a sleeve having an offset axial aperture therethrough secured to said shank in aligned relation to said offset end,

(0) a pin rotat'ably secured in said offset axial sleeve aperture having an end portion projecting beyond said sleeve, said end portion being at a substantially obtuse angle to said pin axis, e

(d) lever means at said opposed pin end whereby said pin may be rotated,

(e) said lever means rotatable into and out of parallel alignment with said shank,

(f) whereby when said pin is rotated said angled end projects laterally beyond the periphery of said sleeve.

2. The structure of claim 1 in combination with a perforated panel whereby when said pin is rotated said angled end is urged against the portion of the perforated panel edge surrounding the said aperture and into overlying relation to said perforated panel.

3. A perforated panel hook, for use in combination with a perforated panel, and having a shank adapted to overlie a surface of the panel and lock means to hold the shank in releasable engagement to the panel, said lock means including:

(a) a sleeve secured to said shank to extend in substantially right angular relation thereto and adapted to extend through an aperture in said perforated panel,

(b) said sleeve having an aperture extending there through parallel to, and offset from, the axis of said sleeve,

(0) a pin pivotally supported in said aperture and having an end extending in substantially right angular relation to said aperture and overlying the end of the sleeve,

(d) said pin end in one pivotal position being Within the periphery of said sleeve and in another pivotal position projecting beyond the periphery of said sleeve, and

(e) means holding said pin from axial movement in said aperture.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which said means holding said pin from axial movement comprises a handle ever.

5. The structure of claim 3 and in which said handle lever is pivotal toward and away from parallel relation to said shank.

6. The structure of claim 3 and in which said handle lever extends substantially parallel to said shank when said pin end is projecting beyond the periphery of said sleeve.

7. A perforated panel hook for use in combination with a perforated panel, including:

(a) a hook shank adapted to overlie a surface of said panel and having an offset generally parallel end adapted to extend through an aperture in said panel and engage the opposite surface of said panel,

(b) a sleeve secured to saidshank and extending in substantially right angular relation thereto and adapted to extend through another aperture in said aperturedpanel'when said offset end is extending through an aperture,

(c) said sleeve having an aperture therethrough from end to end thereof on an axis parallel to, but offset from, the axis of said sleeve. 7

(d) a pin pivotally supported in said sleeve extending through said sleeve and shank,

'(e) an angularly turned'end on said pin' overlying the end of said sleeve most remote from said shank,

(i) 'said pin end being substantially within the periphery of the sleeve in one pivotal position of said pin and projecting beyond the periphery of said sleeve in another pivotal position of said pin adapted to engage said opposite surface of the panel, and

(g) a handle on the other end of said pin by means of which saidpin maybe pivoted.

8. The structure of claim 7 and in which said handle extends substantially parallel to said shank when said pin end is projecting beyond the periphery of said sleeve.

9. The structure of claim 7 and in which said offset end of said shank is connected to said shank by a connecting portion of substantially smaller cross section than the area of an aperture in said panel, and including a U-shaped clip adapted to extend through a panel aperture adjacent said connecting portion and to engage opposite sides of said oifset portion.

10. A perforated panel hook for use in combination with a perforated panel comprising in combination:

(a) a shank adapted to overlie one face surface of said perforated panel,

8 .(b) at least a pair of spaced parallel rearwardly projecting members secured to said shank adapted to reside in spaced apertures in said perforated panel, (c) each said projecting member including an angled ened portion extending generally parallel to said shank, said end portion being adapted to engage the opposite side of the perforated panel from said shank, (d) one of said projecting members being of smaller cross sectional area-than the aperture in which it is adapted to be inserted, and i s (e) a generally U-shaped' clip adapted to extend through the aperture in side by side relation to said projecting portion and to engage opposite sides of the angled end portion of this projecting portion.

Relerences'Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,080,639 12/13 Kurtzon 248-243 1,093,556 4/14 Ferguson 248-223 1,473,817 11/23 Gorsline 211-182 2,312,985 3/43 Bales 248-223 2,790,616 4/57 Cardinal 248-217 5 2,859,008 11/58 Zimmer 254-106 X 2,871,848 2/59 Wall et al 254-l04 X 2,984,363 5/61 Lang et al. 211-182 3,037,733 6/62 Roman 248-223 3,096,108 7/63 Baybarz 254-104 X FOREIGN PATENTS 730,845 1/43 Germany.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PERFORATED PANEL HOOK INCLUDING A SHANK HAVING AN AXIALLY EXTENDING OFFSET END FOR INSERTION THROUGH AN APERTURE IN A PERFORATED PANEL AND MEANS TO HOLD SAID SHANK IN RELEASABLE OVERLYING ENGAGEMENT TO A PERFORATED PANEL COMPRISING: (A) LOCK MEANS SPACED FROM SAID OFFSET SHANK END, (B) SAID LOCK MEANS INCLUDING A SLEEVE HAVING AN OFFSET AXIAL APERTURE THERETHROUGH SECURED TO SAID SHANK IN ALIGNED RELATION TO SAID OFFSET END, (C) A PIN ROTATABLY SECURED IN SAID OFFSET AXIAL SLEEVE APERTURE HAVING AN END PORTION PROJECTING BEYOND SAID SLEEVE, SAID END PORTION BEING AT A SUBSTANTIALLY OBTUSE ANGLE TO SAID PIN AXIS, (D) LEVER MEANS AT SAID OPPOSED PIN END WHEREBY SAID PIN MAY BE ROTATED, (E) SAID LEVER MEANS ROTATABLE INTO AND OUT OF PARALLEL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID SHANK, (F) WHEREBY WHEN SAID PIN IS ROTATED SAID ANGLED END PROJECTS LATERALLY BEYOND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID SLEEVE. 